The Police Development Department (PDD) assists, advises and co-ordinates with the Ministry of Internal Affairs in developing a community service-oriented police force that is in line with democratic principles and international human rights standards.

To meet this objective the Mission supports the Government in police reform including the implementation of the Law on Police and the Law on Internal Affairs. These activities translate into capacity and institution building. The police, public administration and citizens all benefit from PDD’s activities.

The initial task of the PDD was to assist in the training and redeployment of police in the former crisis area following the conflict in 2001. Further assistance was provided in line with the Law on Police in 2006 and Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Strategic Plan. Main priority was given to police reform, community policing and specialized training. With the recent approval of the new Law on Internal Affairs (2009), PDD’s aim is to sustain an efficient human resources management system and to further professionalize the police service.

The Department is organized into three Divisions: Management, Police Training, and Community Policing.

Currently, PDD’s key activities are in the following areas:

Police reform

• Supporting the implementation of an effective human resources management and development system. 
• Assisting in sustaining reforms and building an effective police service at the decentralized level through PDD’s detached advisors (co-locators).
• Monitoring of the implementation of the Law on Police and Law on Internal Affairs (LoIA) and by-laws by participating in an interagency Working Group.

Community policing

• Confidence building aimed at sustainable positive inter-ethnic relations among all communities and the police through training with civil society organizations and forums such as Local Prevention Councils and Citizen Advisory Groups.
• Promoting and supporting equal opportunities and rights of ethnic minorities, women and vulnerable groups.
• Advising on the strengthening of internal and external control mechanisms of the police.

Security

• Supporting border management and control focusing on internal and regional security through expert assistance.
• Supporting local, regional and international security by providing expert assistance and training in the fight against organized crime and terrorism.